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Abstract:

A dental implant system includes bone growth promoting material
configured for disposal within a body cavity about an implant. A
protective element is configured to overlay the bone growth promoting
material. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Claims:

1. A dental implant repair system comprising: bone growth promoting
material configured for disposal within a body cavity about a dental
implant; and a protective element configured to overlay the bone growth
promoting material.

2. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective element has a disc configuration.

3. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective element defines a first planar surface, a second opposing
planar surface and a central opening disposed about the implant.

4. A dental implant repair system according to claim 3, wherein the first
planar surface engages the bone growth promoting material in a
configuration to prevent graft from escaping the body cavity.

5. A dental implant repair system according to claim 3, wherein the
second planar surface is configured to engage gingival tissue.

6. A dental implant repair system according to claim 3, wherein the
second planar surface includes a plurality of barbs extending therefrom
configured to engage gingival tissue.

7. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective element defines a first planar surface including a plurality
engagement members extending therefrom.

8. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective element defines a first planar surface including a plurality
concentric protrusions extending therefrom.

9. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective element defines a first planar surface including a plurality
concentric protrusions extending therefrom.

10. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective element is flexible and resorbable.

11. A dental implant repair system according to claim 1, further
comprising an abutment mounted with the implant in a configuration to
retain the protective element with the implant.

12. A dental implant repair system comprising: bone growth promoting
material configured for disposal within a body cavity disposed about a
dental implant; a shield configured to overlay the bone growth promoting
material and prevent the bone growth promoting material from escaping the
body cavity; and an abutment configured for mounting with the dental
implant in a configuration to retain the protective element with the
dental implant.

13. A dental implant repair system according to claim 12, wherein the
abutment has a shaft configured for fixation with the implant and a head
configured to engage and retain the shield with the implant.

14. A dental implant repair system according to claim 12, wherein the
shield defines a first planar surface, a second opposing planar surface
and a central opening disposed about the implant.

15. A dental implant repair system according to claim 14, wherein the
first planar surface includes a plurality of spikes extending therefrom.

16. A dental implant repair system according to claim 14, wherein the
first planar surface includes a plurality of concentric protrusions
extending therefrom.

17. A dental implant repair system according to claim 12, wherein the
shield is porous.

18. A dental implant repair system according to claim 12, wherein the
protective element is flexible and resorbable.

19. A dental implant repair system according to claim 12, further
comprising a plurality of abutments of various configurations.

20. A dental implant repair system comprising: bone growth promoting
material configured for disposal within a body cavity disposed about a
dental implant; a shield having a substantially flat configuration and
defining a first planar surface having a plurality of spikes extending
therefrom, an opposing second surface and a central opening configured
for disposal about the dental implant, the first planar surface engaging
the bone growth promoting material in a configuration to overlay and
prevent the bone growth promoting material from escaping the body cavity;
an abutment having a shaft configured for fixation with the dental
implant and a head configured to engage and retain the shield with the
dental implant; and a prosthetic device configured for mounting with the
head of the abutment.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to medical devices for the
treatment of bone disorders, for example, periodontal disorders, and more
particularly to a dental implant repair system that employs bone growth
material and includes a protective element to enhance treatment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Implants are widely used in dental surgery for restoration of the
jaw anatomy. Implants are employed, for example, to anchor a dental
prosthesis such as, for example, an artificial tooth to a jawbone of a
patient. Implants are secured in the bone by, for example, threaded
fixation, press/friction fit, tapping, suturing and/or adhesive. Bone
growth promoting material may be used and after a period of time, bone
tissue can grow into the implant to ensure permanent fixation.

[0003] In some cases, however, the dental implant can suffer from
bacterial invasion, loosening and/or improper implantation. These
conditions can lead to peri-implantitis, bone loss and/or tissue loss,
resulting in failure of the dental implant. As such, surgery may be
required for treatment and replacement of the dental implant. This
disclosure describes an improvement over these prior art technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, an implant repair system and method is provided for
treating bone disorders, for example, periodontal disorders. It is
contemplated that the implant repair system employs bone growth material
and includes a protective element to enhance treatment. It is further
contemplated that the protective element is disposed with a dental
implant to protect underlying bone growth material from communication
with an oral cavity and to prevent soft tissue collapse into a grafted
region.

[0005] In one particular embodiment, in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure, a dental implant repair system is provided. The
dental implant repair system includes bone growth promoting material
configured for disposal within a body cavity about a dental implant. A
protective element is configured to overlay the bone growth promoting
material.

[0006] In one embodiment, a dental implant repair system is provided. The
dental implant repair system includes bone growth promoting material
configured for disposal within a body cavity disposed about a dental
implant. A shield is configured to overlay the bone growth promoting
material and prevent the bone growth promoting material from escaping the
body cavity. An abutment is mounted with the dental implant in a
configuration to retain the protective element with the dental implant.

[0007] In one embodiment, the dental implant repair system includes a bone
growth promoting material configured for disposal within a body cavity
disposed about a dental implant. A shield is provided having a
substantially flat configuration and defining a first planar surface
having a plurality of spikes extending therefrom, an opposing second
surface and a central opening configured for disposal about the dental
implant. The first planar surface engages the bone growth promoting
material in a configuration to overlay and prevent the bone growth
promoting material from escaping the body cavity. An abutment has a shaft
configured for fixation with the dental implant and a head configured to
engage and retain the shield with the dental implant. A prosthetic device
is configured for mounting with the head of the abutment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the
specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one particular embodiment of a
dental implant repair system in accordance with the principles of the
present disclosure;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side cross section view of a dental implant disposed
within a healthy jaw cavity with an abutment and prosthetic attached
thereto;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a side cross section view of the dental implant, abutment
and prosthetic disposed within the jaw cavity shown in FIG. 2 having a
disorder;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side cross section view of the dental implant, abutment
and prosthetic disposed within the jaw cavity shown in FIG. 3 showing
treatment;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a side cross section view of the dental implant and
abutment disposed within the jaw cavity shown in FIG. 4 showing
treatment;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a side cross section view of the implant and abutment
disposed within the jaw cavity shown in FIG. 5 showing treatment of an
intrabony lesion with a bone grafting material of the dental implant
repair system;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a side cross section view of the implant disposed within
the jaw cavity shown in FIG. 6 showing placement of a shield;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the implant disposed within the jaw
cavity shown in FIG. 6 showing treatment with the dental implant repair
system;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a side cross section view of the implant disposed with
the jaw cavity shown in FIG. 6 showing treatment with the dental implant
repair system wherein the shield has been placed and the soft-tissue is
re-positioned to substantially cover the shield;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protective
element shown in FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 10A is a plan view of the protective element shown in FIG. 10;

[0020]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protective
element shown in FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 11A is a plan view of the protective element shown in FIG. 11;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protective
element shown in FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protective
element shown in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protective
element shown in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a plan view of one embodiment of a protective element
shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 16 is a plan view of one embodiment of a protective element
shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 17 is a plan view of one embodiment of a protective element
shown in FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 18 is a side view of one embodiment of a protective element
shown in FIG. 1 with gingival tissue;

[0029]FIG. 19 is a side view of one embodiment of a protective element
shown in FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 20 is a plan view of the protective element shown in FIG. 19;

[0031]FIG. 21 is a side view of one embodiment of a protective element
shown in FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 22 is a side view of the protective element shown in FIG. 21
with a jaw in cross section wherein the shield is draped or shaped to
conform to the surrounding region; and

[0033] FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the protective element and a side
view of the jaw shown in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The exemplary embodiments of the implant repair system and related
methods of use disclosed are discussed in terms of medical devices for
the treatment of bone disorders, for example, periodontal disorders, and
more particularly, in terms of a dental implant repair system that
employs bone growth material and includes a protective element to enhance
treatment. It is envisioned that the protective element is disposed with
a dental implant to protect underlying bone growth material from
communication with an oral cavity and to prevent soft tissue collapse
into a grafted region. It is contemplated that the implant repair system
and method is employed for repair treatment and to salvage an implant
and/or prosthetic device implanted within a jaw and in jeopardy of
implant failure. It is further contemplated that the implant system may
be configured as a kit or system that includes one or a plurality of
abutments, which may be variously sized and adapted, an implant and/or
prosthetic device.

[0035] It is envisioned that the present disclosure may be employed to
treat periodontal disorders such as, for example, peri-implantitis,
chronic, aggressive and necrotizing periodontitis, gingivitis and other
periodontal diseases. It is contemplated that the present disclosure may
be employed with other osteal and bone related applications, including
those associated with diagnostics and therapeutics. The present
disclosure may also be alternatively employed with procedures for
repairing vertebral implants. The system and methods of the present
disclosure may also be used on animals, bone models and other non-living
substrates, such as, for example, in training, testing and demonstration.

[0036] The present invention may be understood more readily by reference
to the following detailed description of the invention taken in
connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of
this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not
limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters
described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is
for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example
only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also,
as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to
a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed
herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to
"about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is
expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value
and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are
expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be
understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also
understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal,
vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative
purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For
example, the references "superior" and "inferior" are relative and used
only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily "upper" and
"lower".

[0037] The following discussion includes a description of an implant
repair system and related methods of employing the implant repair system
in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Alternate
embodiments are also disclosed. Reference will now be made in detail to
the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are
illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning now to FIG. 1, there is
illustrated components of a dental implant repair system 10 in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0038] The components of the implant repair system are fabricated from
materials suitable for medical applications, including metals, polymers,
ceramics, biocompatible materials and/or their composites, depending on
the particular application and/or preference of a medical practitioner.
For example, the components of the implant repair system, individually or
collectively, can be fabricated from materials such as stainless steel,
titanium, thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including
polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and
polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaSO4 polymeric
rubbers, biocompatible materials such as polymers including plastics,
metals, ceramics and composites thereof, rigid polymers including
polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy,
and various components of the implant system, may have material
composites, including the above materials, to achieve various desired
characteristics such as strength, rigidity, elasticity, compliance,
biomechanical performance, durability and radiolucency or imaging
preference.

[0039] Implant repair system 10 is configured for treating dental implants
in failure and/or those implants in jeopardy of failure, for example,
dental implants suffering from bacterial invasion and resulting in
peri-implantitis. The components of implant repair system 10 are
configured to salvage a dental implant, which may include an abutment
and/or prosthetic device, that has been implanted within a jaw.

[0040] Implant repair system 10 includes bone growth promoting material,
such as, for example, bone graft 12 (FIG. 6) configured for disposal
within a body cavity, such as, for example, a cavity in a jaw of a
patient, which includes bone, cartilage or other tissues of the upper and
lower jaw, gingiva, mandible and/or maxilla. The body cavity of the jaw
is disposed about a dental implant, discussed below with regard to FIGS.
2-9, which was implanted within the jaw in a prior surgical procedure and
suffers from failure or is in jeopardy of failure. It is envisioned that
bone graft 12 is a particulate material which may include an
osteoconductive material such as hydroxyapatite and/or osteoinductive
agent such as a bone morphogenic protein to enhance bony fixation of the
implant with the treated jaw area.

[0041] It is contemplated that bone graft 12 may include therapeutic
polynucleotides or polypeptides, which can be packed or otherwise
disposed in the body cavity of the jaw. It is further contemplated that
bone graft 12 may include biocompatible materials, such as, for example,
biocompatible metals and/or rigid polymers, such as, titanium elements,
metal powders of titanium or titanium compositions, sterile bone
materials, such as allograft or xenograft materials, synthetic bone
materials such as coral and calcium compositions, such as hydroxyapatite,
calcium phosphate and calcium sulfite, biologically active agents, for
example, gradual release compositions such as by blending in a
bioresorbable polymer that releases the biologically active agent or
agents in an appropriate time dependent fashion as the polymer degrades
within the patient. Suitable biologically active agents include, for
example, bone morphogenic protein (BMP), Growth and Differentiation
Factors proteins (GDF) and cytokines.

[0042] Implant repair system 10 includes a protective element, such as,
for example, a shield 14 having a substantially flat, disc configuration.
Shield 14 is fabricated from a flexible, porous, resorbable material. It
is contemplated that shield 14 may be fabricated from a biodegradeable
material that resorbs over time in vivo. Examples of such include, but
are not limited to, polyglycolide, polylactide, polycaprolactone,
poly(ethylene glycol), polyurethanes, polyfumarates, polyacrylamides,
collagen, silk, polyamines, polysaccharides, tissue or tissue products,
and copolymers and blends thereof. It is further contemplated that shield
14 can be adjusted and/or trimmed to the configuration and dimension
requirements of a particular application.

[0043] Shield 14 includes a first planar surface 16, such as, for example,
a lower surface thereof, which engages bone graft 12 in a configuration
to overlay bone graft 12 and prevent bone graft 12 from escaping from the
body cavity, which includes the dental implant. Surface 16 has engagement
elements, such as, for example, spikes 17 extending therefrom that are
configured to facilitate fixation of shield 14 with bone graft 12. It is
envisioned that all or a portion of surface 16 may be variously
configured such as, for example, with smooth, arcuate, undulating and/or
textured features.

[0044] Shield 14 has a second surface 20, such as, for example, an upper
surface thereof, which is oriented to face an opposing direction relative
to lower surface 16. Second surface 20 is configured to engage soft
tissue, such as, for example, gingival tissue to facilitate support of
shield 14 with bone graft 12 and the body cavity. It is contemplated that
surface 20 may be freely exposed to an oral cavity and not engage soft
tissue. It is further contemplated that all or a portion of surface 20
may be variously configured such as, for example, with smooth, arcuate,
undulating and/or textured features.

[0045] Shield 14 has a central opening 22. Central opening 22 is
configured for disposal about a dental implant. It is contemplated that
central opening 22 may have various configurations such as, for example,
circular, oval, rectangular, polygonal, offset and/or staggered. It is
further contemplated that shield 14 may include one or a plurality of
openings 22.

[0046] Implant repair system 10 includes an abutment 24 that is configured
to provide support and structure to extend a dental implant above the
gumline of patient to connect with a prosthetic. Abutment 24 has a
threaded shaft 26 configured for fixation with a threaded cavity 31 of
the dental implant (FIG. 8) and a head 28 having a lower surface and a
circumferential side surface configured to engage and retain shield 14
with the dental implant. That is, the diameter of the abutment head 28 is
larger than the diameter of the aperture 22 so that the surfaces of head
28 engage shield 14 and are prevented from passing therethrough. The
shaft 26, however, is able to pass through aperture 22 to engage the
threaded cavity 31 of the implant. It is contemplated that shaft 26 may
have alternate surface configurations, such as, for example, smooth,
textured for friction fit, oversized for pressure fit and/or slotted for
pin connection to facilitate fixation with a correspondingly configured
cavity of the dental implant.

[0047] It is further contemplated that implant repair system 10 may
include one or a plurality of abutments for use with variously sized
implants as will be discussed below, or implant repair system 10 may be
packaged as a system or kit that includes bone graft material 12 and
shield 14 but does not include an abutment. In such an embodiment, the
pre-existing abutment associated with the dental implant fixed within the
jaw cavity can be employed to fix shield 14 with the dental implant.
Prosthetic(s) may also be included in the system or kit. The components
of implant repair system 10 can be made of radiolucent materials such as
polymers. Radiomarkers may be included for identification under x-ray,
fluoroscopy, CT or other imaging techniques.

[0048] In one embodiment, one or all of the components of implant repair
system 10 may include voids and/or openings, for including therapeutic
polynucleotides or polypeptides and bone growth promoting material, which
can be packed or otherwise disposed therein. For example, such voids
and/or openings may include at least one agent including biocompatible
materials, such as, for example, biocompatible metals and/or rigid
polymers, such as, titanium elements, metal powders of titanium or
titanium compositions, sterile bone materials, such as allograft or
xenograft materials, synthetic bone materials such as coral and calcium
compositions, such as hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate and calcium
sulfite, biologically active agents, for example, biologically active
agents coated onto the exterior of one or all of the components of
implant repair system 10 and/or applied thereto for gradual release such
as by blending in a bioresorbable polymer that releases the biologically
active agent or agents in an appropriate time dependent fashion as the
polymer degrades within the patient. Suitable biologically active agents
include, for example, bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and cytokines.

[0049] One of all of the components of implant repair system 10 may
include one or a plurality of agent reservoirs. The agent reservoirs can
be configured as drug depots with medication for pain and may include
antibiotics and/or therapeutics. It is envisioned that the agent
reservoirs contains active agents and may include one or a plurality of
therapeutic agents and/or pharmacological agents for release, including
sustained release, to treat, for example, pain, inflammation and
degeneration. The agents may include pharmacological agents, such as, for
example, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs including but not limited
to steroids, anti-viral and anti-retroviral compounds, therapeutic
proteins or peptides, therapeutic nucleic acids (as naked plasmid or a
component of an integrating or non-integrating gene therapy vector
system), and combinations thereof.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2-9, in assembly, operation and use, the implant
repair system 10 is employed with a surgical procedure for treating
dental implants in failure and/or those implants in jeopardy of failure,
for example, dental implants suffering from bacterial invasion and
resulting in peri-implantitis, as discussed herein. The implant system
may also be employed with other surgical procedures for treatment of
other periodontal diseases and bone disorders such as disorders of the
vertebral column.

[0054] In connection with a prior implant procedure, a dental implant 30
is embedded in a body cavity of a jaw, such as, for example, a cavity 61
disposed in healthy gingival soft tissue 62 and bone 60 of the jaw such
that the gingival soft tissue 62 of the gums overlies bone 60 of the jaw,
as shown in FIG. 2. Cavity 61 is disposed circumferentially about dental
implant 30. An implant abutment member 32 is removably engaged within
threaded interior bore 31 in dental implant 30. A prosthetic device, such
as, for example, a tooth crown 50 is affixed to the implant abutment
member 32.

[0055] Subsequent to the implant procedure, as shown in FIG. 3, gingival
swelling occurs and the area of bone 60 surrounding dental implant 30
includes an infected region 65 of peri-implantitis. An intrabony lesion
has formed and soft-tissue swelling is present. Gingival soft tissue 62
recedes and erosion of bone 60 occurs due to the infection and results in
loss of bony attachment and support for dental implant 30, leading to
loosening and eventual removal of dental implant 30.

[0056] Dental implant repair system 10 is employed to salvage and/or
repair dental implant 30 and the adjacent soft tissue and bone. As shown
in FIG. 4, gingival soft tissue 62 is retracted from the implant region
to expose cavity 61 and infected surface 65. Soft-tissue 62 has been
reflected to expose the intrabony lesion. As shown in FIG. 5, crown 50 is
removed and cavity 61 is mechanically debrided and the intrabony lesion
has been forcibly debrided with an instrument (not shown) to remove
infected surface 65 including granulation, tissue and bone matter. The
surfaces of dental implant 30 are cleaned.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 6, bone graft 12 is injected and otherwise
disposed within cavity 61 to surround and circumferentially dispose about
dental implant 30 to reestablish integration. As shown in FIGS. 7-8,
abutment member 32 is removed. Shield 14 is positioned over cavity 61 to
overlay and engage bone graft 12, as shown by arrows A in FIG. 8, and
prevent bone graft 12 from escaping from cavity 61. The outer portions of
shield 14 overlay and engage gingival tissue. Central opening 22 is
aligned with dental implant 30. Spikes 17 extend from surface 16 to
facilitate fixation of shield 14 with bone graft 12. It is contemplated
that shield 14 may be aligned with cavity 61 so as not to engage gingival
tissue 62.

[0058] Abutment member 24 of dental implant repair system 10 is attached
to dental implant 30 by disposing shaft 26 through central opening 22 and
threading shaft 26 within bore 31, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 8. As
shown in FIG. 9, the layers of gingival tissue 62 are returned to an
orientation to overlie and engage surface 20 of shield 14, and side
surfaces of shield 14. It is envisioned that dental implant repair system
10 provides sufficient stability to dental implant 30 such that
subsequent procedures can be performed to attach a prosthetic to dental
implant 30 and abutment 24. It is further contemplated that over time
bone graft 12 becomes bone and shield 14 degrades.

[0059] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10-10A, implant repair system
10, similar to that discussed above with regard to FIGS. 1-9, includes a
shield 14a, similar to shield 14, which is a solid disc shaped member
without an aperture and having a circular edge 14a' defining the
periphery of two opposite flat surfaces. It is contemplated that shield
14a is provided with a full sheet such that a practitioner can modify the
shield configuration according to a specific surgical application.

[0060] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11-11A, implant repair system
10, similar to that discussed above, includes a shield 14b, similar to
shield 14, which is a disc shaped member with an axial aperture 14b' and
having a circular edge 14b'' defining the outer periphery of two opposite
flat surfaces. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, implant repair
system 10, similar to that discussed above, includes a shield 14c,
similar to shield 14, which is a solid four sided member without an
aperture, and having a rectangular or square edge defining the outer
periphery of two opposite flat surfaces.

[0061] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, implant repair system 10,
similar to that discussed above, includes a shield 14d, similar to shield
14, which is a solid four sided member with an aperture 14d' and having a
rectangular or square edge defining the outer periphery of two opposite
flat surfaces. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, implant repair
system 10, similar to that discussed above, includes a porous shield 14e,
similar to shield 14, which is a four sided member with an aperture 14e',
and having a rectangular or square edge defining the outer periphery of
two opposite surfaces.

[0062] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, implant repair system 10,
similar to that discussed above, includes a shield 14f, similar to shield
14, which is a solid, disc shaped member having oppositely extending
convexities 14f'. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, implant repair
system 10, similar to that discussed above, includes a shield 14g,
similar to shield 14, which includes a solid, disc shaped member having
oppositely extending convexities 14g' and a central aperture 14g''. In
one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, implant repair system 10, similar to
that discussed above, includes a shield 14h, similar to shield 14, which
is oblong in shape and includes two or more apertures 14h'.

[0063] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, implant repair system 10,
similar to that discussed above, includes a shield 14j, similar to shield
14, having an upper surface 120. Upper surface 120 includes a plurality
of barbs 122 extending therefrom configured to engage gingival tissue 62
to facilitate engagement of shield 14j with gingival tissue 62.

[0064] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19-20, implant repair system
10, similar to that discussed above, includes shield 14k, similar to
shield 14, having a lower surface 216. Lower surface 216 defines a
plurality of concentric protrusions 218 extending therefrom to facilitate
engagement of shield 14 with bone graft 12.

[0065] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21-23, implant repair system
10, similar to that discussed above, includes shield 14l, similar to
shield 14, having a lower surface 316. Lower surface 316 includes a
plurality of spikes 318 extending therefrom to facilitate engagement of
shield 14 with bone graft 12 and adjacent soft tissues and bone 60.
Spikes 318 stabilize shield 14, which is draped over the bony anatomy. It
is contemplated that the bony region surrounding the bony anatomy can be
an edentulous ridge or tooth or tooth socket.

[0066] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the
embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not
be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various
embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications
within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Patent applications by Daniel Andrew Shimko, Germantown, TN US

Patent applications by Susan J. Drapeau, Cordova, TN US

Patent applications by WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.

Patent applications in class Holding or positioning denture in mouth

Patent applications in all subclasses Holding or positioning denture in mouth